The Cambridge Building Society donates items under its giving tree to community causes
The Cambridge Building Society helped to spread some Christmas cheer by donating the hundreds of items left under its giving tree to its community partners.
Essential items including food, toiletries, towels and sleeping bags were donated to the inaugural giving tree campaign by customers and team members at The Cambridge.
Its leadership team then delivered the hamper boxes to the Arthur Rank Hospice Charity, The Angels Foundation UK, Emmaus Cambridge, and Jimmy’s Cambridge on Thursday (19 December).
Peter Burrows, chief executive, said: “Christmas is a time for giving, and our giving tree campaign is a wonderful way for our team and our customers to come together to help make a meaningful difference in our community.
“We’re incredibly grateful for the generosity shown by our customers and team members throughout the year, and it was wonderful to hear how these items will make a difference to people this winter.”
Peter and Hannah Gladwell, head of compliance, had lunch with the team at Emmaus Cambridge after handing over the hampers for people in need. The charity supports people across the area who have experienced homelessness.
Donna Talbot, CEO of Emmaus Cambridge, added: “We have been overwhelmed by the generosity of staff and customers of The Cambridge. The items that they have been donated will be included in the goody bags that we make up for each companion living here at Emmaus Cambridge. Christmas is a difficult season for many people for a variety of reasons.
“Receiving gifts from others provides warmth in knowing that others care about, and are thinking of them, at this nostalgic time of the year. The kindness shown will mean that we can give companions positive memories
that will stay with them as they work hard to move their lives forward.”
Carole Charter, chief commercial officer, was joined by Holly Smith and Natasha Ustamehmetoglu – who collectively came up with the giving tree campaign – to visit the Arthur Rank Hospice.
They were given a guided tour of the hospice to highlight the free palliative care the hospice provides for adults and their loved ones and sang carols to people on the ward.
COO Lucy Crumplin met with Caroline Deeprose, founder and CEO of The Angels Foundation UK, to hear about the charity’s work supporting families affected by domestic abuse.
Finally, Sandhya Kawar, chief risk officer, visited Jimmy’s Cambridge where she was given a tour of the facilities and spoke to staff and residents.
The giving tree campaign is part of the society’s community partnership scheme to help local charities. Earlier this week, team members helped Jimmy’s wrap Christmas presents for their residents which will be delivered to them over the festive period.
